The Year in Eater: Denver's Top 20 Stories of 2015

As 2015 comes to a close, take a look back at some of the best posts of the year. There were openings galore, plus some famous food people swinging through town and helpful guides to Denver eating. Did you have a favorite dining moment this year? Send a note through the tipline and let us know.

Terrible Parents Abandon Little Girl at Los Torritos Restaurant

There's nothing like a helpless sweet soul getting a community fired up. When the parents of a young girl forgot her at an Aurora restaurant, the news outlets lit up and so did social media, in an effort to reunite her with her family. Hours passed until the police located the family.

Cake Shop Faces Legal Action For Refusing to Make Anti LGBT Cake

Azucar Bakery, a popular spot on South Broadway, stood for love and equal rights this year. Owner Marjorie Silva refused to make a Bible-shaped cake complete with strong anti-gay wording and imagery and that cost her some legal brain damage. The community support she received, however, was strong, and eventually she prevailed in the legal action against her.

Bono and Bill Clinton Shared Lunch at Humboldt

Two public life giants happened to be in Denver at the same time and dine at an Uptown spot. Former President Bill Clinton and U2 lead singer Bono shared some bites at Humboldt, including the crispy broccoli and the ahi tuna noodle salad. Bonus: Chelsea Clinton was also present.

Steuben's 2.0 Is Coming to Olde Town Arvada

When what is now a classic of Denver is expanding, the buzz is loud. Soon-to-open in a former Gunther Toody's in Olde Town Arvada, Steuben's 2.0 will bring its new American diner style to an area that is hungry for more fun restaurants. But don't expect an exact replica of the Uptown original, owner Josh Wolkon shared.

Everybody Panic: Carbone's Is Coming Back!

For decades and until 2013, Carbone's was the classic spot that brought diners a fix for that Italian meatball sandwich craving. A return of the family-owned spot was announced in a Sunnyside location. Construction will begin early next year.

Tom's Home Cookin' Closes in Five Points

Desperate cries from Southern food lovers could almost be heard as the nearly 17 year old casual spot in Five Points closed its doors. Owners Tom Unterwagner and Steve Jankousky found a buyer for their building and decided to switch gears and focus on other ventures.

Denver's Best Bartenders, Class of 2015

Honoring our cocktail makers has become a tradition at Eater Denver and this year was no different. This group of 12 men and women mix drinks with skill at bars like Williams & Graham, Ste. Ellie, and the RiNo Yacht Club.

Guy Fieri Films at Biju's Little Curry Shop and Axios

The Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives crew made several visits to Colorado this year. On what one them, foodie showman Guy Fieri featured not only Dae Gee, but also RiNo's favorite curry shop and a Greek Spot in Berkeley.

Sean Kelly Returns with a New Park Hill Restaurant

Aubergine and its follow up, Clair du Lune were two of Denver's first farm-to-table restaurants. After a significant absence from the forefront of the dining scene, chef and owner Sean Kelly has taken a leap with a new restaurant, Desmond's Bar and Grill.

Lower 48 Calls It Quits on November 7

The 24 month long shower of accolades was not enough to make this Ballpark restaurant survive. Owned by chef Alex Figura and front of the house rock star Mario Nocifera, Lower 48 put a stop to its new American adventure early in November.

Austin's Torchy's Tacos Set to Launch in Denver

Denver sure loves its Tex Mex although the lack of real options is palpable. When Austin's cultish Torchy's Tacos announced a Colorado outpost, fans of the migas went crazy. The Golden Triangle spot will open early in January.

Bang Is Closing at the End of July

It was the end of an era when this classic Highland Square restaurant closed its doors in July. Partners Chris and Jeff Oakley and Cissy Olderman shuttered the nearly two decade old spot, fueling the rapid change of the neighborhood even further.

Chef Max Mackissock Reveals Bar Dough

How we all missed the culinary skill of Max Mackissock since he left the Squeaky Bean! The chef is back with Bar Dough, a LoHi Italian-inspired casual eatery where pizza, pasta, salads, and more come with inspired irresistible touches.

Sushi Sasa Gets An F on Its Report Card

The popular LoHi restaurant owned by chef Wayne Conwell landed in hot waters with the Health Department twice and the Fox 31/KDVR noticed. On one of its weekly Restaurant Report Card segments, the tv station reported that Sasa was cited for 11 critical violations during two regular inspections by the Health Department.

Frasca Food and Wine Team to Open Denver Restaurant

The news that the acclaimed team from Boulder's Frasca Food and Wine is coming to Denver made waves.  A new stand-alone 125-seat space will anchor the ground-level storefront of the new Kimpton Hotel on the 16th Street Mall pedestrian mall adjacent to the Wynkoop Street Plaza and train platform.

Fuel Cafe Shutters in RiNo

A pioneer in RiNo's dining scene, Fuel Cafe was known for its commitment to sustainable and organic ingredients. Chef and owner Bob Blair ran the quaint spot located at Taxi for nearly 8 years and charmed diners not just with its cuisine but also its unique wine list.

Ophelia's, a Seductively Sensory Feast, Will Open in Ballpark

There is some magic in every spot that restaurateur Justin Cucci creates and his third Denver venture, Ophelia's is no different. Part music venue, part restaurant and bar, this Ballpark attraction is set in a former brothel.

The 2015 Ultimate Guide to Restaurant Openings in Denver

There's nothing quite as exciting as a preview of what is to come on the Denver dining scene. This list shared details on everything from Cho77 to Bar Fausto and the Occidental.

'South Park' Episode Pokes Fun at Gentrifying Neighborhoods

Colorado-born South Park creators took on gentrification and shared details on a fictional neighborhood called SoDoSoPa that looked like an eerie combination between RiNo and perhaps LoHi.

25 Classic Denver Dishes To Try Before You Die

While Colorado does not have a classic cuisine or well-known regional dish (sorry, but Rocky Mountain oysters don't count), these 25 dishes make our culinary scene proud. Whether you've lived here your whole life or you just arrived, be sure to check them all of your eating bucket list.